This took far longer than necessary because there are a lot of canon events, but none of them will change much at all. I learned back when canon events were first introduced that the best way to incorporate those into the story is not to, and I'm finally conceding that needs to happen here. So, rather than rehash a lot of things that won't change, I'm going to move along. All events between last chapter and this one stands as canon presents it.

As always, Naruto belongs to Kishimoto.

Naomi looked at the shinobi around her all falling motionless and silent. Each one stared up into the sky. She searched for what drew all their attention and found the moon. Beautiful, bright, and bathing the world in red light.

Naomi woke with a start, heart pounding in her chest and a cold sweat making her clothes stick uncomfortably to her skin. She wiped her face with trembling hands, trying to get her bearings.

Beside her, Hizashi woke and worry filled his face when he took her in. He sat up and rubbed her back to help calm her. "Naomi, what's wrong? Are you all right?"

Naomi stared at him, and, for a moment, she saw his body lying limp and lifeless. In a rush that was more need than a desire for comfort, she threw her arms around him and clung to the strength he offered. "You were dead," she whispered. "It was war and the children . . ."

"It's okay," Hizashi said. "I'm here. I'm alive. It was just a nightmare. There's no war. No one's dead."

"Hizashi." Naomi clutched his robe as she cried against him. "It felt so real."

Gently, he urged her back enough to take her face in his hands and wipe her tears away. "It's all over. You're awake now. Put the whole thing out of your mind."

Naomi traced the lines of his face, letting the familiarity relax her. The long curve of his jaw, the sharp turn of his nose, the smooth skin of his forehead. Naomi's fingers lingered on his forehead, following the creases age created across his unblemished skin. Something felt off there. Maybe it was the dream, quickly fading now that she was awake. Something had been there in her dream.

She shook the unease away and settled into the certainty of her husband's touch. "I'm sorry. It's all slipping away now."

"As nightmares should." Hizashi kissed her long and deep—a comfort and an offer. She melted into his kiss, eager to chase the last of the terror away."

Before they could enjoy each other any further than a kiss, Neji's voice sounded from the hallway. "Toddler on the loose!"

On cue, the door to their bedroom swung open, and Shou burst in with the kind of energy only small children had so early in the morning. He climbed up the side of their bed and flopped in between them with a big, toothy grin. "Good morning!"

"Well, hello there," Naomi said, turning her youngest son over to tickle his stomach. "You know you're supposed to knock before coming in."

Shou devolved into a fit of giggles only to be saved by Hizashi's arms scooping him up into a smothering hug.

Neji popped his head around the doorframe. "Hinata and I have early practice, so we've got breakfast ready. If you don't hurry, we're going to start without you."

"Take this one with you so your mother and I can get dressed." Hizashi held Shou out, his legs dangling in the air. Neji entered, slung his little brother over one shoulder, and waved a hurry-up motion as he left.

Hizashi gave Naomi one last hug. "You okay now?"

She smiled. "Yeah, I barely remember it anymore."

He nodded and got up to retrieve a shirt and pants combo more casual than Naomi felt was normal. The room felt smaller, too, more like their bedroom when Neji was born. And wasn't that an odd thing to think. Of course it was like when Neji was born. Naomi and Hizashi had lived in the same house since they were married. The nightmare must still have been affecting her.

She followed Hizashi to her own bureau and reached for her scarf, but it wasn't there. Why would it? Besides her forehead protector, Naomi never wore anything on her head. Why did she feel like she did?

Hizashi watched her confusion. "Naomi, are you sure you're okay?"

"I'm alright," she said, forcing herself to shake off the strange feelings. "That nightmare just threw me off, I guess."

Once dressed, they headed downstairs to the dining room. Their house wasn't large, so the kitchen opened up directly into the small dining area. Hinata was filling Shou's rice bowl as they entered. She smiled a greeting to them both and Neji set the last of the meal on the table. The contentment of her family gathered together around a meal eased that strange "off" feeling. How could she be anything but happy on so perfect a morning?

"Do you want me to drop Shou off at Grandma's on my way out?" Hinata asked.

"Grandma's?" That strange feeling wormed its way back into her pleasant mood at Hinata's question. "Right, Mom agreed to watch him so Hizashi and I could have a day to ourselves." There was nothing strange about that. Her parent's certainly weren't dead, and they adored all three of their grandchildren.

Hizashi took her hand and grinned. "It'll be nice to have the day off together."

Neji rolled his eyes. "Just try not to end up with another kid. No one else our age has siblings this young."

"I don't know," Hinata said with a smirk. "It might be nice to have a sister."

"Speaking from experience, one is enough."

"Hey," Hinata said with playful indigence, and Neji made a soft ooph sound before rubbing his leg.

"Children behave," Hizashi drawled, though he didn't hide his chuckle well enough to sound chastising.

"Maybe your new cousin will be a girl," Naomi teased, then looked at her husband. "Hiashi's still driving Atsuko crazy over this one, you know. You'd think it would be easier the second time around."

"Hiashi doesn't have enough to do if he can fuss over his wife that much."

Neji snorted and eyed Hizashi knowingly. "Must run in the family."

"I wasn't that bad," Hizashi defended a little uncertainly. "Was I?"

Naomi shook her head. "No, but you also weren't home the entire time, so that helped dilute your fussing."

A loud cry outside interrupted the early morning peace. It was too far away to pick up distinct words, but by the overly dramatic inflection, they didn't need words to identify the speaker.

"That's me." Neji shoveled in the last of his rice while he stood up. "I better get out there before the neighbors complain again."

"Will you be home for dinner?" Naomi asked as Neji slipped on his sandals.

"Yeah, Tenten's coming, too. See you later."

"What about you, Hinata?" Hizashi asked. "Will you make it for dinner?"

She nodded. "I should. We're just training today."

Shou raised his fists in the air, flinging broth from his soup against the wall in his excitement. "Everybody's home tonight!"

Naomi cleaned her son's hands of dripping broth, but couldn't condemn his excitement. Having all the children home was a blessing she'd never refuse.

A few minutes later, they heard barking getting closer. Hinata picked up her and Neji's dishes and set them in the sink, then snatched up her brother. She kissed both Hizashi and Naomi on the cheek. "Have a good day."

Over her shoulder, Shou gave an exaggerated two-handed wave. "Bye-bye."

Naomi smiled. Her family really was perfect.

Hizashi cleared away the rest of the table while Naomi put the leftover food in the refrigerator, but neither bothered to clean up any more than that. Hizashi wrapped his arms around Naomi and returned to the kiss that had been interrupted earlier.

"The house is empty for at least the next eight hours," he said, kissing his way down her neck. "Whatever should we do?"

Naomi feathered her fingers into Hizashi's hair, encouraging his exploration. "I still have a bit of tension from that nightmare that needs to be worked out," she bemoaned through her smile.

"Let me help you with that." Hizashi slid his hands beneath the hem of her shirt. They were warm and strong against the tense muscles in her back.

She felt his devotion in every touch, in every breath that kissed her skin. Naomi closed her eyes and allowed herself to sink into his love, his body—all of him.

Her love, her family, her home—had the world ever felt so perfect?

Naomi never wanted to let go.